Barmes' amazing catch … or was it?

As Troy Renck explained in today’s Post, Clint Barmes’ doubling-up of Albert Pujols on an over-the-shoulder, tumbling catch and throw-out to end the game Sunday may end up saving the Rockies’ season.

But there’s more to the story. Maybe. If you’ve seen the replay, Barmes’ catch happened very fast. He sprinted to right field, fell over, rolled, sprang up and threw to first. All within maybe three seconds. TV cameras show it all from a distance.

Two photographers, though, got a different angle of Barmes’ play.

The first comes from Post photog Hyoung Chang. One of his photos can be found on the front page of today’s sports section:

But he also took this photo, which didn’t make the paper:

Clearly, Barmes is bobbling the ball on his way down. But it’s not clear in that photo what happens next.

It looks as if the ball hits the ground. Craig posted a series of photos at his Rockies photos blog, if you want to see the progression.

Barmes said after the game: “It all happened so fast. I know that it was in my glove, or it hit my glove. And I think as I was going down it hit my glove and then it went across my body or something. I don’t know. I know I came up with it in my bare hand.”

As much as I love seeing the Rockies win, this is just another example why instant replay in baseball is not only necessary, but inevitable.

sethbass

As far as the whole replay thing is concerned with regard to the last sentence of this article, people seem to forget that Brad Hawpe hit a home run in that tiebreaker game that was not called a home run which would have been the difference, therefore the game would have never gone to extras and the controversial play Mr. Groke is referring to would have never happened.

dn3524

With Schumaker clearly being safe at first, then this….no question, Cards got hosed big time, and this isn't “strike zone” grumbling. Good thing it didn't matter that much for us, unless we lose playoff home field by a game. That is some BAD umpiring. Funny how the Post didn't add the questionable photos to the original story. Just like Frazier and Goodman didn't mention it after the replay. Homerville lives.

Name

RATS! Don't be so industrious, Craig!I think it was Atkins who hit the “non-homer” on Oct. 1, 2007. Thank goodness for human error on Matty at home that night, and on Barmey in rightfield yesterday. I hope they never go to replay on everything. Using it for homers is enough.

Anon

“Strike zone grumbling?” Did you SEE all those pitches on Saturday?

nolacard

As a Cards fan, its a bummer to lose that way. But, stuff happens…we got hosed much worse in 1985 World Series game 6 versus Royals. This is a 1.5 (out of 10) on the baseball pain meter. Hope we play each other in playoffs, love your mountains (yes Laura, I'm thinking of you…and skiing).

Nicolas

Well.Why should we expect anything else from the Colorado Rockies?Matt Holliday was out at the plate in the “play-in” game, and now this.Sure, fine. Bring up the bad calls on the home runs. Whatever.But the fact remains that the Rockies have now been given two games based on horrible calls on the last play of the game.The Atlanta Braves are, by all rights, only down 1.5 games. But the paper standings won't show it. Huston Street blew the save. But on paper, it doesn't show.The simple truth is that the Rockies never earn anything. They never, ever win anything without controversy. They will always have one of these: * next to everything they do.The Padres got jobbed, and now Atlanta/St. Louis.Barmes KNOWS he didn't catch the ball clean. He KNOWS it. If he had any sense of decency, he'd admit it straight out. But then, he's a Rockie. Rockie player don't play fair. They have zero sense of sportsmanship.

Nicolas

Well.Why should we expect anything else from the Colorado Rockies?Matt Holliday was out at the plate in the “play-in” game, and now this.Sure, fine. Bring up the bad calls on the home runs. Whatever.But the fact remains that the Rockies have now been given two games based on horrible calls on the last play of the game.The Atlanta Braves are, by all rights, only down 1.5 games. But the paper standings won't show it. Huston Street blew the save. But on paper, it doesn't show.The simple truth is that the Rockies never earn anything. They never, ever win anything without controversy. They will always have one of these: * next to everything they do.The Padres got jobbed, and now Atlanta/St. Louis.Barmes KNOWS he didn't catch the ball clean. He KNOWS it. If he had any sense of decency, he'd admit it straight out. But then, he's a Rockie. Rockie player don't play fair. They have zero sense of sportsmanship.

baseballfan2009

Nicholas – the Holliday play at the plate has been put to rest: the catcher never had possession of the ball but blocked the plate. That's called interference. Tight plays and blown calls are what makes baseball great and are what true fans will talk about for years, not some overruling that takes ten minutes while the umps look at all the angles.

Melanie

What a load of BS!!! The Rockies have had more than their share of blown calls that went against them. A blown call at second in the final games of the last Padres series likely cost the Rockies that game. It should have gone to extra innings. And let's not talk about the third strike call on Giambi Saturday. Giambi KNOWS he didn't strike out. He KNOWS it. So what? What's done is done!Besides, how many teams can claim they've actually had players end up on the DL as a direct or indirect result of the umpires' actions? It's happened to the Rockies twice! What Barmes knows or doesn't know is irrelevant. The umpire made the mistake, not Barmes. And even if the call goes the other way, who says the Rockies don't come up with another walk off win? They've done it many times.

Salukimars

Amazing that the Rockies won the game without really recording an out in the 9th yesterday.

Beth

Suffice it to say that the Rockies have now used up all of their Karma.Things are going to change in the post season (assuming they actually get there.) If they end up playing the Cardinals again, they will find the road much, much rougher than anything they saw this past weekend.I thought Barmes was a person of good character. He does know he didn't make the play, and he should own up to it. Lying about it just make the organization look bad. And for Tulo to say that it doesn't matter, that all that matters is that they won, is incredibly selfish and just a bad example for any fan (especially kids) to see. The Rockies were lucky and luck is just about all that has been carrying them of late. Winning isn't everything. Integrity is.

wtnelson

Not that it means anything, but it technically would have been “obstruction”, not “interference”. Interference is called on offensive players, obstruction on defensive players.You are correct, though.

troutbum10

It was actually Garrett Atkins who hit the homer, but yes, good point. Plus there were plenty of calls by Dan Iassogna (1B ump who called Dexter out, which was clearly not the case, along with the numerous terrible ball/strike calls on Saturday).

danhawkins

Type your comment here.The Baseball Gods have a way of making things even out. I hope Rockies fans have a great outlook if the Dodgers or Brewers win a game on a last inning play where one of their players is caught on film dropping a ball and then lying about it…or just not commenting. Wonder how that will feel if the Rockies end up on the short side. Given the way they acted like the only team affected by the inconsistent strike zone on Saturday was the Rockies, they really look like a bunch cheating whiners.

Todd Helton's Goatee

In the history of Cardinals baseball, I'm sure a St. Louis player never, ever dropped a ball and deked everyone in the stadium and got the call. Never.AND I'm sure that if, by some crazy circumstance, one of those perfect, unstained, (UN-hormonally enhanced) Cards players did drop the ball, they fessed up to it immediately, conceded the out, and took themselves out of the game.Get over it. It's baseball, there's a call made like that every other day.

Peterman

HAHAHAHAHAHAYeah… “I'm not here to talk about the past”Maybe this is part of your bad Karma – Cards fans?Whatever, its not like you ever took one of our beloved players and then won a World Series… oh wait.

dansteve

https://secure.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=2009… Video of non catch on MLB.comOn the replay you can clearly see it hitting the ground as Barmes misses the catch. Spilborgh saw it hit the ground. Then as Barmes got up knowing he didn't catch the ball he was looking to second to force Pujols out. Spilborgh then directed Barmes to throw to first for the double play. I don't know it Spilborgh saw the ump make the out sign from the corner of his eye or was reacting to the crowd reaction to the out call but it was a heads up play. What makes it more amazing is that Spilborgh clearly on replay pausing it he saw the ball hit the ground. It would have been funny with the ump calling it out and Barmes throwing to second for the force out when runners were on first and third. There would have been no reason to throw to second unless you knew you didn't catch the ball. And that was Barmes first reaction to throw to second to force out Pujols. Right afterwards you could see on Barmes's face that he knew he has pulled one off against the umps.It would be interesting to get the umpire's reaction. He seemed to be in good position to see it drop at his side but the Barmes's shadow and the speed of the play and the ump moving cost him.

dansteve

Rockies didn't get one out in the 9th inning. Schumaker was safe at first for the first out. I don't ever remember a team get three outs to end the game when they didn't get any outs.

Jeff

Tulowitzki just confirmed what I always suspected about him. He has no sense of sportsmanship. Neither do Barmes or Spillborghs. “Who cares?””We won.” ?Rockies fans – if you continue to support such attitudes in what you consider to be your “franchise” players who don't care how they win, as long as they win, then I feel really sorry for you.There's winning, and there's winning the right way. There's dignity. There is integrity. Tulowitzki, Barmes and Spillborghs have none of those qualities.The Rockies Wild Card will be forever tarnished if they happen to be lucky enought to pull this off. Just like in 2007 with Holliday at the plate. He was out. The Rockies know he was out. It's clear they know that because they made a joke about it as part of a commercial with Holliday and the jelly donut in the clubhouse.If they just admitted the real story, then some measure of respect might be due.

Todd Helton's Goatee

Wait a minute. The only people that care seem to be melodramatic Cards or maybe Braves fans. In baseball, there are 4 human beings (prone to make occasional errors) stationed around the feild that make judgement calls, or “call them as they see them.” Why are you so torqued up over the players' reactions? I don't remember Tulo making the out call.I fully expect Brendan Ryan to argue with the ump every time he misses a tag at second but gets the out call anyway. It would be the right, just, and sportsmanlike thing to do. People with mustaches can ALWAYS be trusted.

DL22

Can you touch the top of the Qwest Building on your high horse?Baseball is not golf or pickup basketball, where you're required to 'call your own' out of some sort of gentlemanly spirit. Baseball depends on the ruling of the four umpires on the field. They called the batter out – he's out. Bottom line. If that's a 'sportsmanship' issue for you, then you really shouldn't watch baseball anymore. It's clearly not your kind of game.

DL22

Barmes got up looking to throw home to try and cut down Lugo with the tying run at the plate. You claim to see the ball on the ground and Spilborghs seeing the ball hit the ground – I think you're certainly making stuff up in the latter case, and in the case of the former, if you can really see that ball down, you've got better eyes than me. I can see Barmes elbow on the turf in the last replay but not the ball.

jamesbeach

The last photo of the ball on the ground is obviously a fake. Does no one notice the fact that Barmie's hat is off in the photo showing the ball rolling into his bare hand, then the photo of him on the ground (with the ball out), his hat is mysteriously back on. No doubt it is a fake. The Denver Post should remove this from the web site!

jjhall

If you follow the link in the article to the blog with the whole sequence, the fifth picture is the one that Renck shows. The ball appears to be on the ground next to Barmes’ knee. However, in the next image, he’s starting to somersault and the ball is nowhere to be seen. The next shot has him upside down, and the ball is definitely not on the ground. Two frames later it is clearly in his right hand as he is coming upright.If the ball did hit the ground, it must have bounced back up and rolled with his body, then found its way into his bare hand as he rolled over. Either way, this goes into the category of plays where the umpire made the best call possible (like Holliday touching home plate). There is no way the ump could have called it any other way based on what he could see.

glw

I’m starting to think that umpires & refs are not infallible!!!No Barmes didn’t make the catch.Just two days ago Dexter Fowler was safe at first base by almost a step, but he was called out.Holliday didn’t score at home plate , he was tagged out.In 1977, Rob Lytle didn’t score against the Raiders, he fumbled.In his first preseason game, John Elway’s first preseason touchdown pass to Clint Sampson was not complete, Sampson definitely did not have both feet in bounds.Cutler fumbled the ball, and it was called an incomplete pass.Those are just the blown that quickly come to mind about Denver teams. I’m sure there are many bad calls, in every sport, almost every day. Either we go to total video replay of every play for every infraction (its, pretty well conceded that holding takes place on the offensive line of football teams almost every play), or we outlaw video replay and realize that umps and refs make mistakes. Oh, and the last alternative, the system can be kept the way it is, and everyone can grouse once in awhile.

artyziff

When have you ever seen a player admit to not making a catch or tagging up too early. That is not the job of the player to tell the umpires they got it wrong. Whether or not it was a catch, what you are asking is just plain ridiculous.

artyziff

DL22,I think it is pretty obvious he came up looking to 2nd. In the end it doesn't matter. This stuff happens in baseball with all types of calls. Based on how the ball was caught, there was no way for the ump to have a good angle on it, so it is what it is. But you can tell on Barmes' face in the celebration that he knew. It's okay…it doesn't make him a bad person…that's just baseball.

artyziff

Jeff,You do realize that no team would ever admit that. It would show up the umps and it is just not part of baseball. Face it, baseball has non-sportsman like qualities built into the understood “rules” of the game. I mean that was a once in a million type of play, since when you normally drop the ball like that it will kick out further from the body, making it obvious to the umpire. What you are claiming as unsportsman like qualities for the Rockies is what every other team would do in that situation.

artyziff

Exactly. If it did fall and he managed to pick it up in that fast motion, than what can you do?

brad

Eh…I suppose the gripers have trouble with every time a catcher frames an outside pitch to get a strike call too, or the fact that veteran pitchers get strike calls that rookies don't. If I only had a dime for every time I've seen a major leaguer not make the play, but try to get the call anyway. It's not about sportsmanship, it's part of the game, and any little leaguer learns early on that it's what the umpire sees that counts. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't, and over 162 games it comes out a wash. If the Rox win the WC by a game, it goes down as a memorable bad call to Braves fans; if the Rox win by two games, it's forgotten, just like all the other blown calls since April.

markninstl

Glad I'm not a Braves fan after the umpiring in that game…

brad

And as for instant replay, the evidence that Barmes didn't make the catch came from fan photo. There's no camera angle on that play that I've seen that gives evidence that would have overturned the ump's call; the play would stand as is. The world's an ambiguous place, people, as much as our digital fascinations say otherwise.

ajgoodhue

Clearly it wasn't a catch, but I guess it doesn't matter much at this point.

To sell a catch takes a lot of talent and that is also part of the game. This sort of incident happens, but the more important issue is not if Clint Barmes caught the ball it is why was the poor call made? During the past 5 Rockies games this was not the worst of the bad calls, video evidence proves the mobility of the strike zone from team to team, and several incidents at first base. to single out this play and say “oh that's not fair” is just a bunch of crybaby bs. The game is over! get on to the next one let us hope that is officiated with more clarity and professional standards.

Ouchie Bunker

“Again, it all happened in quick seconds. And whether or not he got a clean catch, Barmes made a great play.”Hey Nick,It's not a great play if he never made the catch. It is obvious that it was not a catch and the Rockies lucked out once again. I have nothing against the Rockies, but I would sure be pissed if I was a Braves fan.

bennytitan

I would love to see how you react if it is your teams 2nd baseman making that play. I guarantee you don't complain at all about it. And I am pretty sure that the other 87 games the Rockies have won this year have been pretty much without controversy. Stop being so butt hurt and whining like a little baby.

Ouchie Bunker

I do agree that the umpire made the best call there – it would have been near impossible to get into a better position and from where he was there was no way he could see the ball on the ground. As far as the Holliday call, he was in a bad position and it was obvious the catcher had his foot in front of the plate and Holliday never got past his foot. That was a bad call.

bennytitan

Ok you people are acting like Barmes used a corked bat or was juicing up to win this game. The umpire made the call, and he went with it. I honestly don't want to see the day where a player goes up to an umpire and says “actually, sir, I never caught that ball. You should change your ruling.” That's ridiculous. In no way did Barmes intentionally cheat to win this game, which is how all of you haters are making it out to sound. And don't say you would take the high road and fess up to something like that. If a cop clocks you speeding but doesn't pull you over, are you going to go to him and tell him that you deserve a ticket? Absolutely not, just as Clint isn't going to tell an umpire that he didn't catch the ball. Give me a break people.

Ouchie Bunker

I really hope you're joking. You obviously didn't look at the pictures and the video and compare them. I can't tell at all that you are a Rockies fan – I'm just glad you're not an umpire.

penisenlargementpills1

It is one of those things that will be talked about for years. I still don't think any of these photos are definitive though. The one with the ball on the ground does look pretty much to tell the tale though.

Hector Rivera

All you steriod fans out there. Is it cheating if you know you dropped the ball but the ump called it a “catch!”

deck27

Actually they did, the Cardinals batter never crossed 1st base.Crybaby.

Ouchie Bunker

If the catcher is in the act of receiving the ball (which he was), it's not obstruction regardless whether he drops it or not. Your team got a break just like other teams do. I'm sure you were on the other side a few times and didn't like it. The least fans could do (considering they were not even playing) is be straightforward instead of trying to come up with excuse after excuse.

Name

I thought the rule in baseball was “If you're not cheating, you're not trying hard enough!!”Calls go this way and that. Some you win, some you lose. And the game would have been tied (as would the play in game), so we'll never know who would have won. Had the call gone the other way.

You can *not* clearly see the ball in that video. You're seeing the white of his shirt; the ball was actually on the other side of his body.Even with a replay you would have gotten this one wrong, nevermind at full speed on the field.

Adolf Wolfgang

All it takes is more niggers to ruin everything for white people .

kyle22

Hector, you probabaly never played an inning of baseball in your life. It's not cheating, players get away with little instances like this everyday. Sometimes you're on the short end and sometimes you're on the good side of it. Instant replay isn't the answer either. It doesn't belong in baseball.

Ohshibigfoot

Seeing all you judgemental, pathetic excuse of a human beings, posting in this blog and acting like you would not do what Clint Barmes did is unrealistic. Your opinion does not matter, stop wasting your time. The umpires opinion is all that matters. So, STFU Cry more fatties!!!

patricckk

are you joking?The Rockies have won 86 games without controversy. Forget about those? The Padres game should have been over due to the Adkins home run, and Holliday never got tagged. If he did, they would have had a man on with two outs in a tie game. The Rox were NOT given a game; it was almost stolen from them. The Adkins call is overlooked, and the Rockies earned that game, just as they earned their way into the World Series (through two sweeps). This last game would have been a tie with men on 1st and 3rd, and the top of the Rockies order coming up (in no way a loss). You need to actually watch a Rox game before you say anything about character as well.. it's obvious your simply talking out of anger, and you have no idea what you are saying if you think the Rockies haven't earned anything. That's completely outrageous, even you have to realize it.

caroline111

wow…umm yeahh the umps should have totally looked over the replays…..thats was NOT a catch1

georgedunne1

The batter never touched first base so when he threw to ball to first the batter was out and the runner stuck between 1st and 2nd walked out of the base path,hence he was out. Game over

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F355Bvc

The BRAVES get screwed AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

booby

i was sitting in the outfield seats for the pads playoff play-in game. directly in front of the “home run”. that play was called correctly.

patricckk

Just to make it clear,if every call was correct in the 2007 WC playoff with the Padres, the Rockies would have won the game in 9 innings (the Adkins home run called off the wall). They were almost robbed of this game. END OF STORY. Also, a recent Padres game should have gone to extra innings due to a tag that was called incorrectly, but the Rox instead lost by a run. The Barmes play being called correctly would have led to he top of the Rox order up in the bottom of the ninth, likely in a tie game or a one run hole. Not a loss.Barmes confirming any statement would change nothing. You know nothing about sportsmanship as well.Do your homework.

patricckk

Integrity has nothing at all to do with the business of baseball.

patricckk

About a week ago, this happened, if you were paying attention to the Rox at all. A Padres player was tagged out stealing second (convincingly), and called safe. He went on to score, outrunning the throw to home by a few feet. The inning then ended with a pair of quick outs. The Rockies lost that game by one.It's also not called cheating when you do what Barmes did. It's called being damn smart.

patricckk

Haha, you think it will be tarnished? Nobody will remember this in a week or two. Baseball is a business. There is winning and ONLY winning. If he is called out, he's out, and no more.Also, Adkins hit a home run that went into the stands and bounced out (over HR line at Coors) in the '07 Padres playoff. It was not called a HR. He did not get to home plate. The Rockies were almost robbed of their playoff spot due to this. The game rightfully should have ended in 9. But the call wasn't made. So be it, the game continues. Baseball isn't about respect, integrity, diginity, or anything else. Neether is any other sport. All sports are a business of winning.

patricckk

you have amazing eyes.

Eric

Everyone is basing their comments on one (poor) photo. Anyone with eyes can tell it was doctored, possibly to spark some controversy. He made the catch people! I keep watching the replay over and over, and I just don't see what this photo attempts to suggest. Great catch Barmes! Go Rockies!!

jeff_a

The Braves totally got screwed because of this catch. Well, that and the fact that they just lost 4 games in a row.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.